Уловка 22

Nately’s Old Man

           "Italy,ontheotherhand,isoneoftheleastprosperousnationsonearth.AndtheItalianfightingmanisprobablysecondtoall.Andthat’sexactlywhymycountryisdoingsowellinthiswarwhileyourcountryisdoingsopoorly."Natelyguffawedwithsurprise,thenblushedapologeticallyforhisimpoliteness."I’msorryIlaughedatyou,"hesaidsincerely,andhecontinuedinatoneofrespectfulcondescension."ButItalywasoccupiedbytheGermansandisnowbeingoccupiedbyus.Youdon’tcallthatdoingverywell,doyou?"

           "ButofcourseIdo,"exclaimedtheoldmancheerfully."TheGermansarebeingdrivenout,andwearestillhere.Inafewyearsyouwillbegone,too,andwewillstillbehere.Yousee,Italyisreallyaverypoorandweakcountry,andthat’swhatmakesussostrong.Italiansoldiersarenotdyinganymore.ButAmericanandGermansoldiersare.Icallthatdoingextremelywell.Yes,IamquitecertainthatItalywillsurvivethiswarandstillbeinexistencelongafteryourowncountryhasbeendestroyed."Natelycouldscarcelybelievehisears.Hehadneverheardsuchshockingblasphemiesbefore,andhewonderedwithinstinctivelogicwhyG-mendidnotappeartolockthetraitorousoldmanup."Americaisnotgoingtobedestroyed!"heshoutedpassionately.

           "Never?"proddedtheoldmansoftly.

           "Well…"Natelyfaltered.

           Theoldmanlaughedindulgently,holdingincheckadeeper,moreexplosivedelight.Hisgoadingremainedgentle.

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